“First” HDDs to incorporate hardware-based support for AES

The MHZ2 CJ series of Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard disk drives (HDDs) is the world’s “first” HDDs to incorporate hardware-based support for the 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for enhanced security and improved performance compared to software-based encryption. Developed by Fujitsu Asia, the product is intended for ASEAN and India markets.

With on-board AES support, the HDDs automatically encrypt and decrypt data during read and write operations, respectively. Unlike software-enabled regimes, the series’ hardware-based approach does not require encryption keys to be loaded onto the computer’s memory for improved system performance and enhanced data security.

Data stored on the MHZ2 CJ series can be securely erased in less than one second, offering significant time savings when formatting HDDs for reuse or disposal.

Incorporating a 2.5-inch form factor, the MHZ2 CJ series comprises five models with storage capacities ranging from 80GB to 320GB, and a spindle speed of 7,200rpm. The maximum storage capacity of 320GB matches that of the MHZ2 BJ series as the highest for any 7,200rpm 2.5-inch SATA HDD commercially available today. The series offers a maximum data throughput rate of 3Gbps, as well as average read and write times of 10.5ms and 12.5ms, respectively.

The AES support, compact form factor, high storage capacities and throughput rates, and fast spindle speed make the series ideal for applications such as high-end desktop and notebook PCs, gaming rigs, and database servers. Models in the MHZ2 CJ series consume only 2.3W of power when reading or writing data, making them among the most power-efficient HDDs in their class. The series also possess attributes found in earlier SATA HDDs by Fujitsu, such as large buffer sizes, high shock tolerance and near-silent operation.